I would tell myself: Success in a career other than art is not selling out. Art is easier when you have the finances to not only survive but thrive. Those people who told you success only happens if you sacrifice everything for the art - they had trust funds, and private sponsors, or just a messed up view. Your art will be better when you've had enough sleep, ate a meal that day, and aren't struggling to maintain housing.

Thank you so much, all of you for taking your time to add something. All of this is amazing and could be a crib sheet to share with the younger female generations to help them a mantra if you will for when they embark on there career.

Love all the comments, such great advice. Here are 3 things I would tell my younger self when starting out my career: 1) Say No to projects or work that doesn't fit your career path 2) I would tell myself to speak up when I want to been seen and heard 3) Push for opportunities that fit your career path.

So many great ideas here! I'll add my own ideas, just for variety... 1) "Luck favors the prepared mind," according to Louis Pasteur. Take up every offer of training--you never know where it will lead, and once you learn something, it is yours forever. Money and things come and go, but education/training is with you always. 2) Rainy days always come--save for them. Better to know you can handle what life throws at you than to splurge on a momentary impulse and live with anxiety/regret. 3) Take care of your "meat suit". Exercise, eat healthy, get regular medical check ups. And manage stress, which erodes physical health. Nothing quite like missing an important work meeting because you are in the bathroom with an attack of IBS. Yeah. 4) Cultivate authentic relationships based on mutual respect with everyone. EVERYONE. And do your best to stay connected, because most industries are VERY small and you WILL meet people who meet people, or the same people, if you make it in your chosen field.

What a great question for self reflection, especially as we head into a new and hopefully brighter year. Each journey is unique and personal and it's helpful to hear we weren't alone in what we may have experienced or felt. A few for me are: 1/ Pick battles small enough to win, large enough to matter. I was fortunate and actually got this advice from one of my early managers and it's foundational for me. We have finite time, energy and resources and hundreds of decisions to make daily (sometimes it feels hourly!). Make the decisions are the right one for you. 2/ Pay yourself first. This applies to both financially and physically/emotionally. You've only got one you so set yourself up for the best present and future. 3/ Be your own biggest cheerleader. Love yourself. Be proud of yourself. Let yourself shine. 4/ No one thinks more about you then you, don't dwell. When we make a mistake or gaffe, we tend to think everyone is replaying it over and over again, because we know we sure are! But in the majority of cases, no one is even giving it a second thought, except you. Don't dwell and give in to potentially negative or embarrassing moments.

I would tell my younger self to be true to who you are and not to confirm that others want you to do or say. I would also tell my younger self to have more confidence as a woman in the Accounting field.

People want to - or should want to - hear what you have to say. Don’t be afraid to speak up!

Be patient! It's so easy for me to jump the gun and do the first thing and not take a beat and see what else is out there. Do the scary thing! I gained a lot of confidence in my 20s by doing scary things, I wish I would've started earlier. Also - great question - fun to think about!

- Do not turn down an opportunity that is presented to you fearing workload. Reprioritize and go for it! - After 2-3 years, you're likely getting stale in your current role. Look around for other opportunities to grow and add value in your company or share with your boss that you're open to new responsibilities in your current job. - Ask for feedback early and more often than annual reviews. A regular one-on-one can always include, "Is there anything I can change to add value to the team?" - If there is no formal mentorship program, ask one or two people you admire to meet with you informally. You'll be glad you did. - Address concerns with your job or team more openly and earlier - don't let them fester into resentment. Be positive , well prepared, and factual. as you share your concern. - Join task forces and volunteer opportunities that allow you to interact with others' outside your team. You DO have the time and you gain perspective.

I would have answered this question very differently five years ago. Then, I would have advised young women to keep a foot in the workforce in some way if they wanted to stay home with babies to prevent a gap on the resume. Now, I would tell them not to sweat the gap, that they can make up time if they really want to. My advice: 1) shuck convention. Non-traditional paths are interesting. If a conventional path is for you, great, but if it’s not, you aren’t doomed. You can make it without following the rule book. 2) the best way to get a raise is to get a new job. Don’t be afraid to look for something new. In fact, always be looking for something new! 3) money and power aren’t everything. You don’t have to be ambitious. It’s okay to not always be in pursuit of a promotion. Your career doesn’t have to be impressive to matter a great deal.